New Atlas SD45

Nice looking loco Joe! The SD45 is my all time favorite loco too and I’d be in for some if Atlas does another run and offers a mid 1990’s SF version.
I can’t help but wonder though, the truck side frames on the SP this run don’t appear to be EMD Flexicoil trucks, unless I’m mistaken, which is quite often. They look more like GE hi-ad truck side frames, like C30-7’s have. All the other road names from this run do appear to have Flexicoil trucks.

@jgtrh62 posted:

Nice looking loco Joe! The SD45 is my all time favorite loco too and I’d be in for some if Atlas does another run and offers a mid 1990’s SF version.
I can’t help but wonder though, the truck side frames on the SP this run don’t appear to be EMD Flexicoil trucks, unless I’m mistaken, which is quite often. They look more like GE hi-ad truck side frames, like C30-7’s have. All the other road names from this run do appear to have Flexicoil trucks.

Rut Ro.

I'll have to look closer!

Hmmm, you're right It looks like just the SP has these sideframes.

Sometimes I hate learning.

Maybe ask Atlas about that Joe. It could possibly be why the sideframes are rubbing against the coupler boxes? If it was an oversight, and I'm not saying it is, maybe they could send the Flexicoil sideframes?

just for the record, the large 3rail coupler tabs (on the trucks casting) are what's rubbing.

It's a problem that I've corrected before.

I have the same engine in the 3-rail configuration, The truck sideframes are wrong but it's not a deal breaker for me since the engine is still a good-looking engine. I also have the N&W one. I also want the Springfield Gilford one but i have to wait or let it pass since i was only able to afford 2 SD45s. I'm just glad they finally did an SD45 in the bloody nose scheme. Hopefully, they'll do the Original SP units (8800s,8900s and 9000s) in a future catalog. 

@Engineer-Joe posted:

just for the record, the large 3rail coupler tabs (on the trucks casting) are what's rubbing.

It's a problem that I've corrected before.

That's good to know, come to think of it I seem to recall having to do the same on one of my MTH locos some time ago, might have been my CN/IC C40-8W.

@Engineer-Joe posted:

just for the record, the large 3rail coupler tabs (on the trucks casting) are what's rubbing.

It's a problem that I've corrected before.

The Atlas coupler box is, a bit bigger than the Kadee 743. That's probably why the truck coupler boss is hitting.

So, I had to either cut the Atlas coupler boxes or replace them with KDs. I couldn't even test run the engine as is.

The front coupler was already missing the knuckle spring and a replacement didn't work correctly.

I installed KD #743. They have hidden knuckle springs. I got the front done anyways. I had to walk away to regain some patience.

Cut the rear Atlas box to see if it worked

I always oil the axles.

Now I notice there's at least one bent axle or wheel (in middle) pressed on crooked!

Sheesh. I'm upset.

Well... now she runs. I fixed axle. Wheel pressed on crooked and slightly damaged. Just wobbles a little now.

Smoke unit does not work. One step forward, .....

The reason I got tired of toys. I just keep trotting forward.

I'm still searching for info about the trucks side frames.

Here is a link to as as-delivered SD45:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/rrpa_...005%202010-12-25.JPG

Note the original "L-shaped" engineer's cab window. The SD40T-2 had the same window when delivered so I modified my Athearn bb version to match.

Probably going to need to cut the 3 rail coupler mounting loop off of it to make room for the coupler box.

With the wonky wheelset, call atlas and see if they can send you a new center axle if it wont run without a wobble.  Easy swap with the 3-2 trucks, but past experience tells me to check the gauge of all 6 wheelsets.

As far as the sideframes go, I looked up the road number and its an ex-Conrail that was rebuilt into an SD40M-2 (now -3).

Does some part of that rebuild process rehab or change trucks? Only thing I can think of...

I have an MTH Premier Rio Grande SD45 from the last run before Atlas acquired the tooling. I use KD 743’s for all of my Premier engines. No modifications to the trucks are needed.